Mysterious Child Virus Has Spread to More Than Half of US States

A respiratory illness is striking children in more than half the United States with symptoms varying in seriousness from mild colds to serious breathing problems, the New York Post reported.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said 175 people across 27 states have been diagnosed with enterovirus since mid-August. In its mildest form, the illness consists of a fever, sneezing, and coughing, but the strain is worse than the common cold.ALERT: PBS Doctor: Don't Get a Flu Shot. Do This Instead...

Severe cases are characterized by difficulty breathing and also wheezing and can lead to hospitalization, the Post reported.

Infants, teens, and children are at the highest risk of infection and the media has already reported numerous examples across the country.

The most recent case was diagnosed Tuesday in Massachusetts where an eight-year-old girl with a history of asthma was treated at Boston Children's Hospital.

"We treated her in our unit as she was relatively ill at the time, but has done terrifically well and is home," Dr. Michael Agus told the Post. "I just spoke with her mother and she's doing terrifically well at home."

There were also two cases treated in Long Island last week, one case in New Jersey was confirmed, and a six-year-old girl in Connecticut was also infected, the Post reported.

In North Carolina, six children under the age of 11 tested positive, and the CDC said more confirmed cases are expected to emerge in the coming weeks.

There are no specific treatments for the illness but public health officials advise people to wash their hands to prevent its spread, according to the Post.